Treatment

Treatment

Our Services

In the world of medicine, the only way you can remain effective is by remaining up to date. As such, we are always training on new orthodontic techniques and treatments. With us, you always receive the very best treatment for your wants and needs. Below are some of the services we offer.

Initial Orthodontic Evaluation

Your initial examination is used to determine what orthodontic issues you are dealing with, how severe they are, and which treatment methods are viable options for correcting these issues. To do this, we complete a visual examination, charting, periodontal probing, and x-rays. If needed, we will complete other diagnostics, such as scans.

iTero Digital Scanner

For many individuals, the worst part of seeing the orthodontist is getting impressions taken. For most, this is unpleasant, but for quite a few, it causes gagging and extreme discomfort. We skip the traditional impressions by using the iTero Digital Scanner. With this, we make digital impressions in a manner that is minimally invasive and highly comfortable for you.

Braces

While most people picture a mouth full of metal when they hear the word braces, the truth is that modern options are not nearly as obvious or cumbersome. Our braces are all custom made for you, based on the designs by Dr. Markowitz. We can offer you options that are less visible, nearly invisible, or completely hidden behind the teeth. Dr. Markowitz will be able to determine which options are suited to your needs.

Braces in Baltimore, MD

Braces are custom-made and are prescribed and designed by our orthodontist Dr. Stanley Markowitz, according to the problem being treated. Other appliances are designed to correct jaw-growth problems. These appliances, which include headgear, bionator, Herbst and maxillary expansion appliances, use carefully directed forces to guide the growth and development of jaws in children and/or teenagers.

Braces place a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, and are designed to slowly move teeth through their supporting bone to a new desirable position. Braces can either be removable or fixed (cemented and/or bonded to the teeth). They are usually made of metal, ceramic or plastic.

Today’s braces are generally less noticeable than their predecessors: a metal band with a bracket (the part of the braces that hold the wire) placed around each tooth. Today, the front teeth typically have only the bracket bonded directly to the tooth (instead of surrounding the tooth). This greatly diminishes the old characteristic “tin grin.”

Brackets can be clear or colored, depending on the patient’s preference. In some cases, “lingual braces” are bonded behind the teeth.

Wires are also less noticeable than their stainless steel predecessors. Some are made of technologically advanced alloys of nickel, titanium, copper and cobalt. Some are even heat-activated. All kinds of new wire materials are designed to exert a steady, gentle pressure on the teeth, so that the tooth-moving process may be faster and more comfortable for patients, and ultimately, reduce the number of appointments needed to make adjustments. Clear orthodontic wires are currently being tested and developed, but are not on the market yet.

Care of your braces

Generally, our Baltimore patients who wear braces need to practice good oral hygiene in much the same way as those who don’t. Of course, wearing braces creates unique problems. For example, avoid hard and sticky foods. Don’t chew on pens, pencils or fingernails because chewing on hard things can damage the braces, almost ensuring longer-than-needed treatment times and cost. After application of braces, your orthodontist will show you how best to care for your teeth, gums and braces. This includes tips on how often to brush, how often to floss, and, if necessary, other cleaning aids that might help you maintain good dental health.

About pain

Overall, orthodontic discomfort is short-lived and easily managed. Most people have some discomfort after their braces are first put on or when adjusted during treatment. After the braces are on, teeth may become sore and may be tender to biting pressures for three to five days. The lips, cheeks and tongue may also become irritated for one to two weeks as they toughen and become accustomed to the surface of the braces.

Baltimore patients can usually manage this discomfort well with whatever pain medication they might commonly take for a headache.

Braces and your active lifestyle

Those of our patients in Baltimore who wear braces and play any contact sports should always wear a protective mouth guard.

Playing wind or brass instruments, such as the trumpet, will clearly require some adaptation to braces. With practice and a period of adjustment, braces typically do not interfere with the playing of musical instruments.

Retainers

Retainers can be used after braces treatment to maintain results or without braces treatment to prevent teeth that are showing signs of shifting from moving further and becoming problematic. There are two types of retainers we use: fixed retainers and removable retainers. Fixed retainers are fixed to the backs of the teeth and are meant to be worn permanently while removable retainers are only worn at night and are slipped over the teeth.

Space maintainers

Sometimes teeth are lost too early due to decay or accidents. When this occurs, the other teeth can start to shift out of place to fill the gap. Because this shifting can cause significant problems, we try to prevent it from happening with the use of space maintainers. These devices are placed between two teeth to hold space for the permanent tooth the emerge.

Invisalign

Invisalign is braces alternative that straightens teeth while remaining invisible. It uses clear plastic aligners that look similar to removable retainers. These aligners are designed to strategically place pressure on the teeth, moving them efficiently. You change to a new aligner every two weeks, which changes the pressure and keeps the teeth moving until they reach their ideal placement.

Which of our services do you need? We can only tell you that after we see you in person. Schedule your consultation today.

For more information on Braces and orthodontic treatment in Baltimore, MD call Stanley Markovitz, DDS, MDS at (410) 653-6379 today!

Invisalign Treatment in Baltimore, MD

Dr. Markovitz is one of the most experienced invisalign providers in Baltimore and across the United States and has maintained elite status since invisalign’s inception. Successful invisalign treatment is highly dependent on the experience of the provider. Dr. Markovitz is experienced in treating both adults and teens with invisalign. Invisalign’s® invisible, removable, and comfortable aligners will give you the beautiful straight teeth you’ve always wanted. And best of all, no one can tell you’re wearing them. Invisalign is great for adults and teenagers.

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is the invisible way to straighten your teeth without braces.

Invisalign® uses a series of clear, removable aligners to straighten your teeth without metal wires or brackets

Invisalign® has been proven effective in clinical research and in orthodontic practices nationwide.

How Does Invisalign® Work?

You wear each set of aligners for about 2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss.

As you replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teeth will move little by little, week by week – until they have straightened to the their final position

You’ll visit us about once every 6 weeks to ensure that your treatment is progressing as planned.

Total treatment time averages 9 – 15 months and the average number of aligners during treatment is between 18 – 30, but both will vary from case to case.

How Are Aligners Made? You’d Be Amazed…

The aligners are made through a combination of our expertise and 3-D computer imaging technology.

An orthodontic problem is called a malocclusion, or “bad bite.” Some examples of causes of malocclusion include crowded teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth or misaligned jaws. Most malocclusions are inherited, although some can be acquired. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidents, early or late loss of baby teeth, or oral habits that are continued over a long period of time.

Patients of almost any age, but mostly children, can benefit from treatment for orthodontic problems. Typically, braces are worn between the ages of 10 and 14; this is the period of development in which the head and mouth are still growing and teeth are more accessible to straightening. Earlier orthodontic intervention can sometimes prevent the need for full orthodontic treatment. (If you have been advised that your child needs braces, it is very important to discuss the matter carefully with your child. It can be traumatic because of your child’s sensitivity to his or her looks.) More and more adults are also wearing braces to correct minor problems and to improve their smiles.